William Henry Hodgkinson was born in 1880 at 27 Sarah Street Sheffield, the son of  Charlotte Ann and William Henry Hodgkinson, a Brass Finisher.  The 1891 Census lists the family living at 12 Eldon Street, having five children and also 'taking in' lodgers.  By 1901 William Henry is still living with his parents but is now employed as a 'Warehouseman in the Cutlery and Silversmithing industry'.

The 1905 and 1911 Whites Directory's list William Henry as a Manager working at 354 Sharrow Vale Road and 78 Monmouth Street respectively.
Fourteen years later Sheffield & Rotherham Kelly's Directory (1925) detail William Henry as a 'Manufacture of Table Knifes, Forks & Spoons, Cutlery & Electro Plated Goods', the business located at 64a Sidney Street and residing at 19 Cumberland Street.

On 12 March 1950 William Henry died in Sheffield City General Hospital age70, probate, valued at £1,797, was granted to his son, also called William Henry Hodgkinson and who was employed as a Clerk.  Williams' wife Annie died three years previously aged 66.